This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Else Nutrition 

We have been practicing positive parenting with Aimery over the last couple of years, and have found that it works best for our family. Positive parenting focuses on helping children understand their emotions and encourages parents to be more mindful about active listening to their children’s needs. Positive parenting goes into every aspect of parenting, including Aimery’s relationship with food. It is important for Ben and I to help Aimery create a healthy relationship with food, while making sure he is getting all the nutrition he needs. Keep reading for three tips to practice positive parenting with a picky toddler!

UNDERSTANDING TODDLER PORTION SIZES

Something we learned very quickly with Aimery during his toddler years is that one day he might eat everything in the fridge, and the next day eat 2 grapes for lunch. The most powerful thing we can do as parents is letting our toddlers decide how much they want to eat without pushing them. Did you know that toddlers need different portion sizes depending on where they are at developmentally? Some days toddlers need ½ cup of fruit, and other days they need ½ teaspoon. Just like adults, we don’t always feel the need to eat three meals a day, so there’s no reason to also force our toddlers to eat a full meal on days they are not hungry.

STOP REWARDING WITH DESSERT

We do our best to not reward Aimery with dessert after dinner, simply because it doesn’t work long term. We also feel like rewarding Aimery with dessert after eating his entire meal doesn’t create a healthy relationship with food. We believe in balanced meals in our household, so if Aimery wants to have a cookie with his dinner, we let him. We don’t describe food as “good” or “bad”, just fuel for our body. Ben and I also make sure to model good eating habits and hope he catches on. Now that he’s getting older, 9 times out of 10 he’ll go for his chicken nuggets before a cookie when given the choice. He’ll reach for strawberries and carrots over a cupcake. He’s already developed a great relationship with food from a young age, and I believe it has to do with not rewarding him with dessert.

LETTING TODDLERS CHOOSE THEIR MEALS

Toddlers are normally pretty vocal about what they like to eat, and what they don’t. Most of the time, I allow Aimery to choose what he wants to eat, and adapt from there. He wants crackers for lunch? I make a snack plate with fresh fruit, veggies, and cheese. He wants a smoothie? I add in some Complete Nutrition Drink with frozen fruit.

Aimery absolutely loves to make smoothies, and I have found that it’s a great way to get extra nutrition in his diet on days where he may not feel like eating as much. We toss in bananas, almond milk, frozen fruit, kale, seeds - just about whatever we have on hand! We also make smoothies with the Complete Nutrition Drink for Toddlers from Else Nutrition. Else Nutrition has clean-ingredients and plant-based nutrition for toddlers and babies 12 months and older. It contains zero dairy or soy, and is free of: hormones, antibiotics, GMOs, Gluten, palm oil, and corn syrups. It is endorsed by leading pediatricians and nutritionists as a great way to provide vitamins & minerals to support Aimery’s growth and development.

Want to  try it out for yourself? Use code BEING-ELSE25 to get 25% off your next order  at ElseNutrition.com! 

How do you practice positive parenting with your picky toddler? Let me know in the comments below!